Blurry

A chance encounter triggers an intricate sequence of stories within stories in Shaw’s kaleidoscopic latest (after Discipline). Browsing an H&M for clothes to wear to a wedding, Ken bumps into a former middle school classmate, Mel. When Ken doesn’t recognize her, Mel points out that she now wears glasses. The narrative then shifts to Mel in her 20s, when her vision began blurring. Her boyfriend is about to propose when an intriguing new guy named Kay starts at work, causing Mel to have second thoughts. From there, the narrative lens turns to Kay, who tells Mel about nude modeling for a drawing class, where the instructor, Karetzky, confides in him about the agonizing end of his affair with a married colleague. The married lover then dives into her trip to Rio following an earlier breakup, where she meets an acclaimed author named Christie, who details her struggle to follow her wildly successful debut. Each episode presents a miniature tale of doubt and resolve. Shaw’s lithe ink illustrations complement the intimacy of the shared confidences, with subtle stylistic shifts lending each a distinct tone. As the anecdotes form links in a chain of received wisdom, Shaw finds insight glimmering in even the murkiest fog of uncertainty. (Aug.)